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What are the best ways to test the validity of logical arguments?

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Logical arguments are statements that follow a certain form of reasoning, such as deductive, inductive, or abductive. They are often used to persuade, explain, or justify claims or actions. However, not all logical arguments are valid, meaning that they have a sound structure and true premises that lead to a true conclusion. How can you test the validity of logical arguments and avoid fallacies or errors in your own or others' reasoning? Here are some of the best ways to do so.

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George Doran

Finance Manager with Experience in Social Housing, Education and Not-For-Profit
Ali Asghar Noorani

PowerBI Trainer & Consultant | Author of Raise Your Analytics Game??
Jeff Bazinet

Lawyer | Soccer Coach | Improvement Nerd

1 Identify the type

The first step to test the validity of a logical argument is to identify what type of reasoning it uses. Deductive reasoning is when the conclusion follows necessarily from the premises, such as in a syllogism. Inductive reasoning is when the conclusion is probable or likely based on the premises, such as in a generalization. Abductive reasoning is when the conclusion is the best explanation for the premises, such as in a hypothesis. Each type of reasoning has different criteria for validity and different sources of uncertainty or error.

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George Doran

Finance Manager with Experience in Social Housing, Education and Not-For-Profit
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Be careful with Inductive reasoning. There is a swan. It is black. There is a another swan, it is black. Conclusion: All swans are black.

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Jeff Bazinet

Lawyer | Soccer Coach | Improvement Nerd
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Basic types of arguments include deductive, inductive, and abductive. A deductive argument reasons from general premises to specific conclusions: All humans are mortal. Socrates is a mortal. Thus, Socrates is human. Inductive arguments reason from specific to general: I surveyed 10,000 people nationwide. 7,500 people surveyed said they would vote to re-elect Person X. I predict Person X will be re-elected. Abductive arguments draw conclusions to explain the occurence of observable phenomena: I can't fit into these clothes any more. I must have gained weight. These are not the only types of arguments. For example, analogic arguments use analogies to predict similarities.

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Ethel Panitsa Beluzzi

Data Scientist | Machine Learning | AI | Ph.D. in Applied Linguistics (Translation) | M.A. in Philosophy | B.A. in Philosophy and Theology
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When considering logical argumentation, the first step is to observe the environment. Is the environment in which we find ourselves open to logical discussion? If not, a pre-discussion that highlights the benefits of using logic in a particular situation is valid, especially when it contradicts, for instance, personal experience or the "feeling" of third parties involved.

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2 Evaluate the structure

The second step to test the validity of a logical argument is to evaluate its structure. This means checking if the argument follows a valid form or pattern of inference, such as modus ponens, modus tollens, or disjunctive syllogism for deductive arguments, or analogies, causal inferences, or statistical inferences for inductive arguments. You can use diagrams, symbols, or tables to represent the structure of an argument and see if it is valid or invalid. For example, you can use a truth table to show all the possible combinations of truth values for the premises and the conclusion of a deductive argument and see if it is valid or invalid.

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Jeff Bazinet

Lawyer | Soccer Coach | Improvement Nerd
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There are many "patterns" of valid arguments. Some of the most common are: MODUS PONENS: If P, then Q. P. Thus, Q. If the temperature is below 75F tomomorrow, the pool will close. The temperature will be 70F tomorrow. The pool will close. MODUS TOLLENS: If P, then Q. Not Q. Thus, not P. If Jane lives in New York, she lives in the US. Jane lives in New York. Thus, Jane lives in the US. DISJUNCTIVE SYLLOGISM: P or Q. Not P. Thus, R. Jane will choose pizza or pasta. Jane will not choose pizza. Jane will choose pasta. HYPOTHETICAL SYLLOGISM: If P then Q. If Q then R. Thus, if P then R. DILEMMA: P or Q. If P then R. If Q then S. Thus, R or S. Invalid argument patterns often involve true premises supporting false conclusions.

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3 Assess the premises

The third step to test the validity of a logical argument is to assess its premises. This means checking if the premises are true, relevant, and sufficient to support the conclusion. You can use empirical evidence, logical consistency, or common knowledge to verify the truth of the premises. You can also use counterexamples, objections, or alternative explanations to challenge the relevance or sufficiency of the premises. For example, you can use a counterexample to show that a premise is not true in all cases, or an objection to show that a premise does not imply the conclusion.

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4 Detect the fallacies

The fourth step to test the validity of a logical argument is to detect any fallacies or errors in reasoning that might undermine its validity. Fallacies are illogical or misleading arguments that appeal to emotions, authority, ignorance, or other factors that are irrelevant to the logic of the argument. Some common fallacies are ad hominem, begging the question, slippery slope, false dilemma, or hasty generalization. You can use critical thinking skills, such as asking questions, clarifying terms, or identifying assumptions, to spot and expose fallacies in an argument.

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Ali Asghar Noorani

PowerBI Trainer & Consultant | Author of Raise Your Analytics Game??
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Detecting fallacies is key in evaluating arguments, but it's tricky. Sometimes, what looks like a fallacy might actually be a valid point, depending on the context. Also, focusing too much on fallacies can make us miss other important parts of the argument, like whether the facts are right or if the logic really adds up. So , while spotting fallacies is helpful, it's just one piece of the puzzle. We need to look at the whole picture to really understand if an argument makes sense..

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George Doran

Finance Manager with Experience in Social Housing, Education and Not-For-Profit
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Might also mention the ability to falsify a statement. A statement is unfalsifiable if you cannot identify a way to disprove it. Example. The centre of the moon is made of green cheese. We have no way of disproving this, but that doesn't make it true.

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5 Compare the arguments

The fifth step to test the validity of a logical argument is to compare it with other arguments on the same topic or issue. This means evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of different arguments and seeing how they relate to each other. You can use criteria such as clarity, coherence, relevance, soundness, or persuasiveness to compare and contrast arguments. You can also use methods such as weighing the pros and cons, ranking the arguments, or finding the common ground or the main disagreement to compare and contrast arguments.

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6 Apply the arguments

The sixth step to test the validity of a logical argument is to apply it to real-world situations or scenarios. This means testing how the argument works in practice and what implications or consequences it has for action or decision making. You can use scenarios, examples, or cases to illustrate or simulate how the argument would apply in different contexts or circumstances. You can also use criteria such as feasibility, desirability, or ethicality to evaluate the applicability or acceptability of the argument.

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George Doran

Finance Manager with Experience in Social Housing, Education and Not-For-Profit
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Watch out for regression to the mean. We need a control group, which is why scientific experiments have a placebo. There will always be random variations through the laws of chance.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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What are the best ways to test the validity of logical arguments?

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3

4

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7

1 Identify the type

2 Evaluate the structure

3 Assess the premises

4 Detect the fallacies

5 Compare the arguments

6 Apply the arguments

7 Here’s what else to consider

Analytical Skills

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What are the best ways to test the validity of logical arguments?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Identify the type

2 Evaluate the structure

3 Assess the premises

4 Detect the fallacies

5 Compare the arguments

6 Apply the arguments

7 Here’s what else to consider

Analytical Skills

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感谢您的反馈

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